Date of Birth: May 2, 1924
Zodiac Sign: Taurus
Date of Death: July 21, 2015
Biography
Theodore Meir Bikel, known professionally as Theodore Bikel, was an Austrian-American actor, folk singer, musician, and activist. He was born in Vienna, Austria, and later moved to Palestine (now Israel) with his family to escape the rise of Nazism. Bikel was a versatile performer who gained fame for his roles in film, television, and theater, most notably for his portrayal of Tevye in “Fiddler on the Roof” and as Captain von Trapp in the original Broadway production of “The Sound of Music.” Bikel’s acting career spanned over six decades, during which he appeared in over 150 film and television productions. He was also a renowned folk singer and guitarist, recording more than 20 albums of folk songs in various languages. In addition to his artistic achievements, Bikel was an outspoken advocate for civil rights and social justice, using his platform to address issues such as human rights, immigration, and the plight of Soviet Jews. Throughout his life, Bikel received numerous awards and honors, including an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his role in “The Defiant Ones” (1958). He was also a co-founder of the Actors Federal Credit Union and served as president of Actors’ Equity Association from 1973 to 1982.
5 Interesting Facts about Theodore Bikel
1. Theodore Bikel was fluent in multiple languages, including German, Hebrew, Yiddish, French, and English.
2. He was a co-founder of the Newport Folk Festival, which played a significant role in the American folk music revival of the 1960s.
3. Bikel appeared in over 2,000 performances of “Fiddler on the Roof,” more than any other actor in the role of Tevye.
4. He was a prolific recording artist, with over 20 albums of folk music to his name.
5. Bikel was an outspoken advocate for the rights of refugees and immigrants, drawing from his own experiences as a refugee during World War II.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Theodore Bikel
1. “I am a first-generation refugee, and a second-generation refugee, and a third-generation refugee in terms of my history and my heritage.”
2. “You don’t really need to be a musician to understand music. You just need to understand the language of music.”
3. “I have always striven to bridge the gap between the many worlds I inhabit, to be a connecting link rather than a dividing wall.”
4. “Acting and music are not mutually exclusive. They are two sides of the same coin.”
5. “If you become a singer, you become an activist, because you have a voice.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
The highest net worth achieved by Theodore Bikel was estimated to be around $5 million.
Children
Theodore Bikel had two children, sons named Robert Simon Bikel and Daniel Bikel.
Relevant Links
1. [Wikipedia – Theodore Bikel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodore_Bikel
2. [IMDb – Theodore Bikel](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000942/
4. [Theodore Bikel Official Website](http://www.bikel.com/
